French President Emmanuel Macron has announced that the iconic Olympic cauldron, one of the most celebrated attractions of the Paris 2024 Games, will return to the skies of Paris every summer until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In a TikTok video posted on Friday, Macron shared footage of the cauldron floating majestically at night, accompanied by Celine Dion’s rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” (“Hymn to Love”), the song Dion performed during the Paris Olympics’ opening ceremony. Macron revealed that the cauldron would reappear annually from June 21 — France’s Music Day — to mid-September, creating a lasting legacy for the Games.
The Paris cauldron is the first in Olympic history to be lit without fossil fuels, relying instead on water and electric light. This eco-friendly design aligns with the Games’ sustainability goals and has been widely praised for its innovation.
The 7-meter (23-foot) diameter ring of fire, suspended from a giant air balloon, captivated audiences during the Paris Olympics, drawing thousands of spectators each night as it soared over 60 meters (197 feet) above the ground. Its launch site near the Louvre Museum’s glass pyramid added to its allure, blending modern spectacle with historic grandeur.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo expressed her enthusiasm for the cauldron’s return, confirming that it will be reinstalled in the Tuileries Gardens, its original location during the Games. On Instagram, Hidalgo described the decision as “very, very good news” and celebrated the cauldron as “a legacy of the Paris Games that we’ll remember forever.”
The annual reappearance of the cauldron will serve as a reminder of the Paris Olympics’ spirit and achievements, while also inspiring future generations ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This unique tradition promises to keep the Olympic flame alive in the hearts of Parisians and visitors alike for years to come.
